Unique Cabinet Knobs

ByInfarrantly Creative
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Cabinet knobs can be expensive. At places like Anthropologie or Top Knobs they can range anywhere from $6 — $25. If you have a dresser with six knobs you are shelling out some big bucks just for hardware. I want to show you a way you can create beautiful unique cabinet knobs.

You can make custom and unique knobs at home for a fraction of the price. With this process I am going to show you, they look like they are ceramic because of the bright glossy shine the Envirotex Lite gives it.

Whether for your bathroom vanity, new drawer pulls, doorknobs, door handles, anything can be customized and crafted to your liking. As long as you are a crafty gal like I am 😉

custom cabinets knobs

Supplies:

I had a friend give me a huge bag of wooden knobs. However, you can find wood knobs very inexpensively at places like Hobby Lobby or Amazon.

The original inspiration for my knobs came from the Lucky Number Knob from Anthropologie. 

I thought it would be fun to make my own knobs with my house number on it.

lucky number knob

How To make your Own Unique Cabinet Knobs

Step 1 – Prime and Paint

I primered and painted my knobs a gloss white and let them dry.

custom cabinet knobs

Step 2 – Printing

Next I cut out a piece of tissue paper and taped it to a piece of printer paper using blue painters’ tape. 

Using the font Ecuyer Dax I typed out my “No. 821” in my word processing program.

I ran it through my printer and my words typed out onto the tissue paper.

printing on tissue paper

Step 3 – Color

I then taped off my knobs to spray half of it another color. 

Here I used Krylon Ocean Breeze for the bottom half.

custom cabinet knobs
custom cabinet knobs

Step 4 – Mod Podge

I cut out the numbered tissue paper and put a coat of Mod Podge over the top of my knob. 

Make sure to press the tissue paper in place to push the creases out. It is impossible to get all the creases out because of the domed surface (I just did my best).

custom cabinet knobs
custom cabinet knobs

Step 5 – Cut Off Excess Paper

Cut off the excess tissue paper with tiny sharp scissors. 

Layer to top of the tissue paper with Mod Podge pressing the edges down smooth. 

Make sure all edges and tissue paper are sealed with Mod Podge.

custon cabinets knobs

Step 6 – Envirotex Lite

Mix up some Envirotex Lite according to directions. 

MAKE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE DIRECTIONS if you have never used this stuff before. 

It is not a product you can just wing and get beautiful results.

mixing envirotext lite

Step 7 – Finish

With a throw away brush I “painted” the Envirotex Lite on over my sealed Mod Podged knob. 

The Envirotex Lite when cured gives it a hard, glass like durable finish. 

The reason I chose to use this product rather than a spray sealer is because how much use it will get. 

The Envirotex Lite will hold up all the abuse these knobs will get.

(Below is one without the two tones of paint…doesn’t it look like ceramic!)

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I ended up putting them on my bifold doors in my front hallway.

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FAQs

What is the trend in door knobs in 2023?

So, in 2023, when it comes to door knobs, you’ve got some seriously cool choices. Matte black, sage green, polished brass, and aged brass metal finishes. These are the hot picks right now, and they’re giving all the doors a makeover.

Now, polished brass is making a comeback, from old-school homes to super modern ones. It’s all about that high-shine glam.

But wait, there’s more. Matte black is like that classic hit song that never gets old. It’s been rocking the scene since 2022, and guess what? It’s still the life of the party in 2023. People love using matte black to add that defining touch to their rooms. It’s like the bassline in a killer tune – it grounds your whole color scheme.

Which is better knobs or pulls?

The choice between knobs and pulls for your cabinets, drawers, or doors largely depends on your personal preferences, the style of your space, and the functionality you desire. There is no definitive “better” option, as both knobs and pulls have their advantages and are suitable for different situations.

Knobs and Pulls

What kind of cabinet hardware is in style?

Here’s a list of some current trends for kitchen hardware.

  • Jewelry-Like Hardware: Designers are incorporating solid brass pulls with organic shapes, inspired by jewelry design, to add texture and elegance to kitchen spaces.
  • Cabinet Contrast: Emphasis is placed on choosing cabinet pulls that complement the room’s style and functionality. Mixing and matching handles between cabinets is a creative way to create visual interest.
  • Rounded Edges: Custom-designed oak and brass handles with rounded shapes are being used to balance the hard lines and surfaces in kitchens, showcasing the impact of thoughtful hardware choices.
  • Exposed Hinges: Exposed hinges are turning utilitarian elements into sculptural accents, adding a touch of glamour to kitchen spaces. They are particularly effective in contrasting against dark cabinet colors.
  • Supersized Handles: Large custom-made handles are being used on floor-to-ceiling cupboards, creating visual balance and complementing the overall design of kitchens.
  • Mixed and Matched: Kitchens are embracing variety in hardware styles, mixing handles, ring pulls, and knobs, as long as there is uniformity in the metal finish, creating a cohesive yet dynamic look.

These trends reflect a growing emphasis on the aesthetics and functionality of kitchen hardware, with designers incorporating a wide range of styles and materials to create distinctive and visually appealing kitchen spaces.

ETI sent me this product to try out. Envirotex Lite was created by Environmental Technologies Inc. (ETI), which is the home for many resin and mold making products.

Today, artists are using ETI’s products in many crafty ways and they will be showcasing these works of art on their new blog “Resin Crafts”.

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82 Comments

  1. Pingback: Dream Big Butterfly Window – Resin Craft | Pretty Handy Girl

  6. Beckie, isn’t it amazing how many different things you can use ETI for? I must have clicked over on the wrong section of their website the first time, b/c all I could find were old, outdated pics of projects (like yellowed diplomas pasted onto slabs of driftwood). Your project proves that you can use resin for fun, modern projects that will wow your readers. 🙂 So excited to click through the links this week. 🙂

  7. Beckie,
    These are great and we have plenty of wood/metal knobs laying around. I have seen Envirotex Lite at Michael’s off and on for a while but have never tried it because I had never met anyone who had used it. Thanks for the inspiration once again!

  9. these knobs are great! when i bought my house 3 years ago, the kitchen cabinets had no hardware, and i shelled out a pretty penny buying a set. now i want to tear it all out and replace them with some homemade knobs lol.

  10. {GIGGLE} I know the possibilities are endless. I am coming up with all these ideas of how I could use them.

  12. Oh it is fun stuff. You have to use it properly but when you do it yields gorgeous results. You need to pick some up and give it a whirl.

  13. Yah they are in the process of updating their site. I hope our projects bring a new appeal to Envirotex Lite because it is really fun stuff.

  16. I love how it makes them look like ceramic! I hand painted all the knobs for my sons dresser in his transportation themed room so this would be great to make them look more high end.

  18. I’m freakin’ out! This is awesome!
    (My teenager girls tease me cuz I think that just about anything can be improved with
    a little tissue paper & deco podge! And here’s another amazing example!)

  21. I LOVE THIS! I would love also for you to share it at my link party on Wednesday evening. What a great idea!

  23. This is an amazing idea! I a definitely going to try this out. Thanks for sharing!

  25. Nice! I didn’t know you could print on tissue paper. With all the other things you can run through the printers now I should have guessed.

  26. Nice! I didn’t know you could print on tissue paper. With all the other things you can run through the printers now I should have guessed.

  35. These are great! I just have a little problem with the ink bleeding when I apply the mod podge…is there anything I can do to remedy that?
    Thanks!
    smiles

  37. Can’t wait to try this out! My husband got excited about the resin product. We have some projects we’d love to try out for it. 🙂 He also LOVED your tutorial, one of his biggest gripes about some of the blogs I follow is that they don’t give all the how to information. This was perfect. Thanks so much!

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  46. I will have to check this product out. I have a hutch I want to paint and it has 16 knobs on it! I just need to find something that I would want repeated that many times. Or many I’ll mix and match. Thanks 🙂

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  48. I absolutely love this idea! I love the knobs at Hobby Lobby, but most have the bolt sticking out the back, which is way too long and gets in the way. This is much better, and no one will have exactly the same ones (well, unless I copy yours…)! 🙂

  49. You totally can copy mine…please do! They are seriously fun to make and possibilities are endless. I am excited to try and mimic so more designs.

  53. Wow! I love this! Thanks for sharing this. I went over to the ETI blog and signed up for the giveaway- such cool crafts!!!

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  56. These are awesome! Love the shiny finish and there’s no limit to what you can put on the knob faces. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  58. I adore your “ceramic” knobs and want to do the same in my home! My problem is that I have several bifold doors with plain wood knobs, but the knobs are not removeable … can I still do this to them while on the door??

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  74. So glad a Google search brought me here instead. I was about ready to shell out for some Anthro knobs, but am sure these will be MUCH cheaper, plus I can customize them to say whatever!

  76. Pingback: How-To Find & Make Unique Cabinet Hardware | Doryn Wallach

  77. Hello,
    I was wondering if you could explain how you “paint” the ETI on the knobs? I’ve only seen people pour it on. What kind of brushes do you use and how do you avoid brush strokes? Also do you paint down the sides as well or just the top?

    Thank you so much…your blog is fantastic!!!

    Jodie

  78. Hi Jodie,
    Thank you for your sweet words! Regarding the knobs, I just went around the top and a little over the edges. Any small bristle brush will do. Since it is self leveling, there is no need to worry about brush strokes. Hope that helps!

  81. I was wondering how you made the tissue paper see through. did that just happen when the mod podge dried or was the resin the reason it dried that way? Also why does it matter what kind of printer is used?

  82. That just happens when the tissue paper gets wet. I think a laser jet would have less chance of bleeding. If you use an inkjet, you might want to spray them with a sealer first.

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